Confronting Evil with Compassion and Radical Love

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Confronts Evil with Compassion and Authority

Jesus steps ashore in the region of the Gerasenes and is immediately met by a man tormented by a legion of unclean spirits, living among the tombs, isolated and feared by his community. No one could restrain or help him, and he was left to suffer alone, exiled from society. Yet, when Jesus encounters him, He does not turn away or respond with fear. Instead, Jesus stands firm, listens, and engages directly with the suffering man, seeing beyond the chaos and brokenness to the beloved child of God beneath. This act of noticing, of being present and compassionate in the face of overwhelming evil, is the first step toward deliverance and healing. [11:08]

Mark 5:1-13 (ESV)
They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

Reflection: Who in your life is suffering in isolation or fear, and how can you be present with them today, offering compassion instead of turning away?

Day 2: The Power of Naming and Facing Our Demons

There is a tradition that knowing the name of a demon gives power over it, and in this story, Jesus asks, “What is your name?” The response, “Legion, for we are many,” is meant to intimidate and create fear, but Jesus is not deterred. Naming the evil, whether literal or symbolic, is a crucial step in breaking its hold. The act of facing and naming the forces that oppress us—be they violence, cruelty, selfishness, or despair—strips them of their illusion of power and opens the way for healing. We are called to do the same: to face the legions in our lives and communities, to name them honestly, and to refuse to let them hide behind false labels or inevitability. [14:05]

Mark 5:9 (ESV)
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”

Reflection: What is one “demon” in your life—an ongoing struggle, fear, or destructive pattern—that you need to name honestly before God today?

Day 3: Radical Love and Empathy as Spiritual Power

The story reveals that the greatest force against evil is not violence or fear, but radical, fearless love. Jesus’ ability to see the suffering man as a beloved child of God, to respond with empathy and compassion, is what terrifies the forces of darkness. This kind of love is not passive; it is active, courageous, and willing to stand in the face of chaos and pain. It is a love that refuses to exile or chain away those who are suffering, but instead draws near, offering hope and healing. This is the superpower given to us by Christ—a love that overcomes even the darkest realities. [18:20]

1 John 4:18-19 (ESV)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.

Reflection: Where can you practice radical empathy and love today, especially toward someone or something that frightens or challenges you?

Day 4: Rejecting Stigma and Embracing the Marginalized

The community’s response to the suffering man was to restrain, exile, and ultimately abandon him, treating him as if he were dead and unworthy of compassion. This mirrors the ways society often stigmatizes and isolates those who are different, especially those struggling with mental illness or other afflictions. True discipleship calls us to reject these patterns of exclusion and to see every person as worthy of dignity, care, and belonging. We are invited to break the chains of stigma and to create communities where all are seen, valued, and embraced. [08:54]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV)
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Reflection: Who in your community or circle has been pushed to the margins, and what is one concrete way you can reach out to include and support them this week?

Day 5: Faithful Courage in the Face of Darkness

The heroes in stories of evil are not those who are fearless by nature, but those who, despite their doubts and imperfections, choose to act with humility, empathy, and sacrificial love. Jesus models this courage—not by running from evil, but by standing firm, engaging with it, and offering himself for the sake of others. We are called to this same kind of faithful courage: to face the darkness in our world and in ourselves, to believe that things can change, and to be vessels of holy love and healing, even when we feel inadequate. [15:40]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel afraid or inadequate, and how can you take a step of faithful courage, trusting that God’s love and presence go with you?

Sermon Summary

The story of Jesus and the man possessed by Legion invites us to confront the reality of evil—both literal and symbolic—in our world. In this encounter, Jesus steps into a place of death and isolation, where a man has been exiled by his community, chained among the tombs, and left to suffer alone. The forces tormenting him are not just personal afflictions but represent the powers that seek to separate, isolate, and dehumanize. The community’s response is telling: rather than offering compassion or help, they attempt only to restrain and exile, treating the afflicted as if he were already dead. This reflects a broader human tendency to distance ourselves from suffering, to chain away what we fear or do not understand, whether it be mental illness, violence, or other forms of brokenness.

Yet, Jesus’ response is radically different. He does not turn away or seek to subdue the man with force. Instead, he stands present, listens, and sees the suffering individual beneath the chaos and torment. The first act of deliverance is simply being noticed—being seen as a human being worthy of compassion and hope. Jesus’ willingness to engage, to look beyond the bruises and the chains, models a kind of empathy and love that terrifies the forces of evil. This is not a passive love, but a fierce, fearless compassion that refuses to let suffering go unseen or unaddressed.

Naming the demon—asking, “What is your name?”—is a crucial step. Evil often tries to intimidate by presenting itself as more powerful than it is, but Jesus exposes its illusion. By naming the forces that oppress us—whether they are called Legion, violence, cruelty, or selfishness—we begin to reclaim power over them. We are called to this same witness: to face the legions in our world, to refuse to let them masquerade as something inevitable or natural, and to respond with the radical love that Christ embodied.

Ultimately, the power that overcomes evil is not force or fear, but love—empathy-driven, compassion-laden, ferocious love. This is the superpower given to us by Christ, the power that brings resurrection and peace. We are invited to move forward, compelled by the love of Christ, to see, to name, and to heal, no matter the darkness we face.

Key Takeaways

1. Isolation is the Enemy’s First Weapon Evil’s first act is often to isolate, to sever individuals from community and support, making them feel alone and unworthy of compassion. The man among the tombs was not just possessed; he was exiled, treated as dead by his own people. Our calling is to resist this impulse in ourselves and our communities, to draw near to those who suffer rather than chaining them away. True healing begins when we refuse to let anyone’s suffering go unseen or unacknowledged. [07:29]
2. Naming the Darkness is the Beginning of Deliverance Jesus asks, “What is your name?” not to satisfy curiosity, but to expose the illusion of evil’s power. Naming the forces that oppress us—be they spiritual, social, or personal—robs them of their secrecy and intimidation. We are called to name our own legions, to bring into the light what would otherwise control us from the shadows. This act of truth-telling is the first step toward freedom. [14:05]
3. Empathy and Radical Love Disarm Evil Jesus’ refusal to run from the suffering man, his willingness to see the person beneath the torment, is a radical act of love. This kind of empathy is not weakness; it is a force that terrifies evil, because it restores dignity and hope where there was only despair. Our witness is most powerful when we love fiercely, even in the face of chaos and darkness, embodying the compassion that Christ showed. [13:01]
4. We Must Not Confuse Evil with Illness There is a danger in reducing evil to metaphor or in blaming mental illness for violence and suffering. Such confusion stigmatizes the vulnerable and distracts from the real work of confronting evil itself. We must be careful not to let our fear or discomfort lead us to misname or misplace the true sources of harm in our world. Sometimes, a demon is just a demon, and it must be faced as such. [05:55]
5. The Power of Christ Compels Us to Act The love that Christ demonstrated is not passive; it is a compelling, active force that calls us to face evil, to name it, and to overcome it with compassion. This love is our superpower, the force that brings resurrection and peace even in the darkest places. We are invited to move forward, not in fear, but in the confidence that love is stronger than any legion we may face.

** [18:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Encounter at the Tombs
[01:01] - The Name “Legion” and the Swine
[02:05] - Demons in Culture and Film
[03:17] - The Nature of Evil
[04:00] - Jesus Faces the Army of Evil
[04:38] - Demons as Metaphor vs. Reality
[05:34] - The Stigma of Mental Illness
[06:25] - Overlapping Realities: Metaphor and Fact
[06:55] - Isolation and Exile
[08:18] - The Community’s Response
[10:08] - Facing Our Own Demons
[11:08] - The Power of Being Seen
[13:01] - Jesus’ Radical Empathy
[14:05] - Naming the Legion
[15:40] - The Cost of Compassion
[17:07] - Refusing to Normalize Evil
[18:20] - The Superpower of Love
[18:53] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 5:1-13 (ESV) —
> They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

Observation Questions

What details in the passage show how the man was treated by his community before Jesus arrived? ([08:18])
How does Jesus’ first interaction with the man differ from the way others have responded to him? ([11:08])
What is the significance of Jesus asking, “What is your name?” to the unclean spirit? ([14:05])
According to the sermon, what was the community’s main response to the man’s suffering, and what does that reveal about their attitude? ([08:18])

Interpretation Questions

Why might isolation be described as “evil’s first weapon” in the context of this story? How does this relate to the man’s experience among the tombs? ([07:29])
The sermon says that naming the darkness is the beginning of deliverance. Why is it important to name or identify the forces that oppress us? ([14:05])
The sermon warns against confusing evil with illness. What are the dangers of mislabeling suffering or violence as simply mental illness? ([05:55])
Jesus’ radical empathy is described as something that “scares the hell out of hell.” What does this mean, and how does it challenge our usual ways of responding to suffering? ([13:01])

Application Questions

The community tried to restrain and exile the suffering man instead of helping him. Are there people or groups in your life or community who are “chained among the tombs” today—isolated or ignored because of their struggles? What would it look like to draw near instead of turning away? ([08:18])
Jesus’ first act of deliverance was simply noticing the man and seeing his humanity. Who in your life might need to be truly seen and noticed this week? What practical step can you take to show them compassion? ([11:08])
The sermon says that naming the forces that oppress us is the first step toward freedom. Is there a “legion” in your own life—something that feels overwhelming or unnamed—that you need to face honestly? What would it look like to name it and bring it into the light? ([14:05])
The message warns against blaming mental illness for violence or evil. Have you ever caught yourself or others making this mistake? How can you help reduce stigma and offer real support to those struggling with mental health? ([05:55])
Jesus models a fierce, fearless compassion that refuses to let suffering go unseen. What is one situation this week where you can choose empathy and radical love, even if it feels uncomfortable or risky? ([13:01])
The sermon calls Christ’s love our “superpower” for facing evil. When have you seen love overcome darkness in your own life or in the world? How can you lean into that kind of love in a current challenge you’re facing? ([18:20])
Sometimes, the hardest part is not running away from suffering or chaos. Is there a person or situation you’ve been avoiding because it feels too overwhelming? What would it look like to stay present, as Jesus did, and offer hope? ([11:08])

Sermon Clips

The demonic forces in this case, had done what they do best. It's what they try to do in every movie you watch. They separated him from community. They severed his connection to support systems. They isolated him and turned him into something monstrous and feared and exiled from regular human life. If you want to find a parallel with the treatment of mentally ill people, it's there. It's the isolation and the exile and the institutions and the stigmatizing that we have done for centuries. [00:07:17] (34 seconds) #IsolationMirrorsStigma

And whether you see this as a literal demonic possession or a symbolic one, the truth remains that a person was standing before Jesus, suffering incredibly, and all his neighbors could think of to do was to chain him up in a graveyard as though his affliction made him symbolically dead to them, some inhuman thing no longer worthy of compassion or care. His neighbors ran away when he needed them the most. [00:08:54] (29 seconds) #FearlessFaithfulLove

Jesus was confronted with a man who was suffering, suffering not just bodily, but in his soul, in his brain, everywhere. And his response, Christ's response, was very different from the people who had placed this man in a cemetery in chains. Jesus didn't say a word when the scene first begins. He did, however, stay there. He stood there, he listened. He stayed engaged with this, in this case, creature that was talking to him, right? So the first act of deliverance for this tormented man was being noticed, was being seen. Was somebody noticing that suffering was happening to a fellow human being? Somebody was in need, deserving of help and hope and healing. [00:10:37] (52 seconds) #VictimsMasqueradingAsOppressors

The very idea that Jesus was standing before them in this firm way, the idea that Jesus was able to look beyond the bruises and the chains and the cemeteries and the outbursts, the idea that Jesus was able to see behind all of that, a human being, a child of God, behind all of the problems. And I think that kind of empathy, I think that kind of radical love, I think that kind of radical witness, frankly, scares the hell out of hell. [00:12:37] (33 seconds) #PowerlessEvilPeacefulResistance

Jesus does not run away from the idea that evil exists in the world. In fact, Jesus engages with it in very direct ways. Because Jesus knows something that we know, too. He knows that the truth about evil is that it is ultimately powerless. We need to see it. We need to face it. But then we need to proclaim a healing and a hope in the face of this compassionless cruelty. We have to proclaim peace to the chaos. [00:13:15] (30 seconds) #NamingDemonsForPower

Our peace requires us not to chain them away, but to face demons, to name our legions. Because if you noticed, in this particular story, Jesus also does the thing they always do in movies when they are trying to exorcise a demon. What is your name? There is an idea. There's a tradition in exorcism that believes that knowing the name of an entity, knowing the name of a demon gives you ultimate power over it. [00:13:46] (31 seconds) #LoveDefeatsLegions

Because our demons, it turns out, also require exorcism. They also require us to know their names, to call them out as what they are. And perhaps, ultimately, it doesn't matter, right, if the demon is named Legion, or the demon is named violence, or the demon is named cruelty, or the demon is named selfishness. But it does matter. It does matter that we stop letting them pretend to be something else. We stop letting them pretend to be illness. We stop calling them things like human nature as though they are inevitable. These things cannot be allowed to make the unnatural appetite for violence a common and accepted reality. [00:16:54] (46 seconds) #LoveAsTheUltimateSuperpower

``We, the siblings of Christ, the children of God, living in a world that has its demons, living in a moment that has its darkness. We carry with us the most powerful and holy force against the demons and darkness of our time. A superpower that was given to us by the Jesus who faced and banished evil, faced it with his own life, gave up his own life to conquer it. And that power, the superpower that took Christ to the cross, that brought Christ from the tomb, that lifts us up in a resurrection place. That power is love. Empathy driven, compassion laden, ferocious and fearless love. [00:17:48] (42 seconds)

And from that love comes all the skill and all the empowerment that we need to see truth. To name truth and to overcome even the darkest truth. A long time ago, Jesus gave us our lives back, offered us a chance for peace. Jesus calls us to the same thing now. No matter the demon, no matter its name, no matter the moment, we move forward because in the words of the Exorcist, the power of Christ compels us. [00:18:29] (38 seconds)

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